Preparations for a new sports season; tips for sports park managers and volunteers

Preparations for a new sports season.

The approach of a new sports season always brings a wave of energy and renewal with it. Athletes look forward to meeting new teammates and the new developments within their club. For sports park managers and volunteers of associations, however, there is a crucial task ahead; making preparations to ensure the facilities are ready for play and safe. In this blog we share practical tips and guidelines for the maintenance and inspection of sports facilities, so that athletes and spectators can function optimally and enjoy the matches and training in a safe sports environment.

The summer break is the ideal time to thoroughly examine the facility by inventorying materials and for maintenance and management. To be able to train safely, all sports and outfitting materials on and around the sports fields must be in top condition. This responsibility may fall under the association and/or partly under the municipality. In many municipalities, competition-related materials and things such as sports surfaces and lighting fall under their responsibility. It is essential that the facility is regularly checked for any defects and unsafe situations, such as protruding parts, open profiles, torn weld seams or broken components such as, for example, the panels in dugouts and other things that do not function properly. With thoughtful preparation and a dedicated team of managers and volunteers, it can be ensured that every sports season starts safely and successfully.

Why are maintenance and management so important?

First of all, you want to prevent unsafe situations from arising. Some things are maintained or managed by the municipality or by third parties and must even be inspected annually. Report defects to your facility in time to the right point of contact, so that non-functioning lighting or drainage or possibly an unsafe situation can be addressed. You do not want, for example, for a hockey ball to end up in the car park through a hole in the fencing, or maybe even worse on the terrace.

Good maintenance and management not only ensure a safe sports environment, but also extend the service life of sports and outfitting materials, which means you can also save on unnecessary expenses. In addition, materials that are in good condition will be used with pleasure, and this benefits sport.

It is recommended to have someone within the association who is the point of contact for the management and maintenance of the facility, so that members can report broken materials or unsafe situations there. This point of contact can also function as an intermediary between municipalities and any third-party parties to whom maintenance, management and/or inspection has been outsourced. This ensures, in addition to good coordination and alignment, that an optimal and safe sports environment is supported.

Interested in sports-related points of attention and tips? Then read on below for sure…

• Match materials: Check that the goals (including youth goals), corner flags are in good condition and that there are no defects. Check that the goal nets are still intact so they can last an entire season. Check the condition of dugouts, stands with seats or bench seating. In particular, look for defects such as protruding parts, open profiles, torn weld seams or broken components. Damaged benches, but also sponsor boards, can injure players and spectators. Prevent risk of injury!
• Training materials: Check the structure and current status of movable training goals, ball carts and any other training materials, such as rebounders, free-kick mannequins and small equipment such as pylons, bibs, balls, etc. Do they still function for what they are intended? Is there sufficient inventory for the coming season or does everything still need to be supplemented? Good storage systems can also help with better management of materials, think of: mesh lockers, ball wagons, etc.
• Changing room fittings: Are the seating benches and changing hooks still intact and undamaged? Do you have a tactical door or other means to discuss tactics? Then it is nice if they are complete. Also check whether cabinets or lockers still function and are undamaged.

Tip: Inspect the condition of sponsor boards along the fields as well. Damaged or poorly mounted boards can harm the reputation of sponsors and also pose danger to players and visitors.

Tip: This is a good time for associations to inventory goal nets and to replace broken goal nets and (missing) net hooks. With an in-ground net fastening you never have to deal with replacing net hooks. This saves a lot of time and work. Also think about having a set of spare nets, because you do not want materials to be disapproved by the referee right before a match due to a hole in the net and at that moment there being no nets.

Tip: Some materials can be maintained and cleaned by volunteers and members of the association themselves. For example, cleaning sponsor boards, stand seats or cleaning out a dugout, but other maintenance should be entrusted to specialist parties. Especially if it comes to safety or to a responsible method of cleaning with regard to, for example, floors, solar panels and lighting. Always contact the responsible party, manager or supplier first.

Tip: If materials need to be repaired or replaced, make sure you let them know in time because of lead times, so that you are ready in time for the start of the new season.

Other points of attention

Besides the sport-specific facilities, there are also general provisions that regularly require maintenance and inspection:

• First aid: Check whether the first aid kits and AEDs are fully equipped and present in the correct location. Do you have cooling elements or ice packs for injuries available and accessible?
• Terrace furniture: Is there still enough of everything, and is everything still intact and working properly? If new furniture is desired, then perhaps the products from GreenMatter are an idea. GreenMatter offers sustainable solutions with products made from recycled artificial turf, which contributes to environmental friendliness and long-term use.

By following these steps, sports park managers and volunteers can ensure safe, durable and well-maintained sports facilities for a flawless new sports season.